The Story of Kim Yuna : 2007-2008 Season
Introduction
Going into her second senior season, Yu-Na finally had what many other senior skaters had from the beginning of their career–a stable training situation in Toronto, Canada, a stable coach in Brian Orser, and two brand-new programs choreographed by David Wilson. She trained with the support of a world class team and facilities befitting a world class skater. Her boots situation was resolved, and she was healthier than she had been in years. This would be the first season in which she had a new short program and a new long program at the same time, as for many years she had had to use one or the other across two seasons, giving her the opportunity to continue to develop artistically.
What would she show the world now, after her record breaking Tango de Roxanne had stunned them and made a name for herself at 2007 Worlds? As International Figure Skating magazine had declared in its cover story in November of 2007, “The Best is Yet to Come” for Yu-Na Kim. Many felt that the bronze medal at Worlds was only the beginning for Yu-Na. They were right, but at the time, no one knew what it would take to get to a higher level on the podium.
With her newfound health and a new team of coaches (Tracy Wilson for skating skills, Astrid Shrubb for spins, Ghislain Briand for jumps), the first big change from the previous season was that Yu-Na would be attempting the triple loop in her long program again. She had attempted it at every competition as a junior in two seasons, but 2006-2007 had been the first season where she had omitted it due to her numerous injuries. As shown by her impressive 2006 Grand Prix Final victory and 2006 Trophee Eric Bompard victory over then-reigning world champion Kimmie Meissner and eventual 2007 world champion Miki Ando, Yu-Na did not need the triple loop to be competitive. But it was nice to have.
Elsewhere in the skating world, the reigning world junior champion, Caroline Zhang, was moving up to the senior level on the Grand Prix, having won everything on the junior level except for US Junior Nationals. Mao Asada was still working with Rafael Arutunian and Lori Nichol, while Tatiana Tarasova had choreographed a short program for her for the first time. Miki Ando, Kimmie Meissner, and Carolina Kostner were all continuing to compete and expected to contend for the podium. Could Miki continue her success after her world title champion win? Could Kimmie Meissner get back to the form that won her the 2006 World title? Where would Carolina Kostner, brilliant one moment, inconsistent the next, fit in? In the sport of figure skating, last season's world champion was off the podium the next. Sustained success was very difficult to achieve.
Programs
Die Fledermaus
Miss Saigon
2008 Grand Prix
Cup of China
Cup of Russia
Grand Prix Final Qualifying
Grand Prix Final
Injury
2008 World Championships
Short Program
Long Program
Conclusion
A season that began with such astonishing success–three consecutive wins, a world-breaking LP, seeming to conquer the triple loop–ended with another bronze medal at Worlds. Like the bronze medal at 2007 Worlds, the color of the medal didn't show everything. At 2007 Worlds, the medal was a promising one that led people to believe that Yu-na's potential, limited by injuries, was yet to be fully tapped. At 2008 Worlds, the medal had people wondering if Yu-Na would ever be able to skate injury free at Worlds. Amazingly, even hampered by a far more serious injury, Yu-Na had come far closer to winning the gold this time than before. The injuries were disheartening yet it was encouraging that Yu-Na could still be so competitive.
But now, everyone would have to wait until next season to see if Yu-Na could finally claim the world title which had now twice eluded her. And it would be the biggest test of them all, as it would be the last Worlds before the Olympic season.